You've seen the video by now, as has every other Internet user on the planet: After Ben Roethlisberger(notes) takes a knee to end the AFC Championship game, Rashard Mendenhall(notes) jumps on him and then, inexplicably, does some deliberate celebratory thrusting on his quarterback's hindquarters.

Since then, Mendenhall's stroke has been the impetus for about a million Ben Roethlisberger jokes, or rather, the same Ben Roethlisberger joke about a million times.

If you're wondering what made Mendenhall climb aboard the Good Ship Roethlisberger like that, you aren't alone. His teammates are wondering, too. From the Twitter feed of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Ken Laird:
http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nfl_experts__30/ept_sports_nfl_experts-298149705-1295988126.jpg?ymemMdEDNX0pkBpz
I would love to overhear that conversation.

Myself, I think it's just something that happened in the emotion of the moment, and it happens to be hilarious. Sometimes, a fellow gets so giddy that he just doesn't know what to do with himself.

Think of Rashard Mendenhall as an excited puppy. You've seen a baby schnauzer go to town on grandpa's leg. It doesn't mean the dog is into old men. He's just super excited, and that's the way the excitement happens to manifest itself.

I hope the Mendenhall conversation doesn't have to be as awkward as Kordell Stewart's infamous "Adam and Steve" address.

Related: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Oddness

BradshawsHairdresser

01-27-2011, 12:17 AM

Great game by Mendy, but that humping escapade was disgusting. Hope I don't see that out of him again.

SidSmythe

01-27-2011, 07:14 AM

Great game by Mendy, but that humping escapade was disgusting. Hope I don't see that out of him again.

I use to do that stuff when I was younger, but I think even I could have refrained from one of the most watched TV shows in the history of man... hahaha

eniparadoxgma

01-27-2011, 07:32 PM

Great game by Mendy, but that humping escapade was disgusting. Hope I don't see that out of him again.

Lighten up, Francis. :)

BradshawsHairdresser

01-27-2011, 07:54 PM

Great game by Mendy, but that humping escapade was disgusting. Hope I don't see that out of him again.

Lighten up, Francis. :)

Look, I can understand a little unbridled exuberance over winning that game. I'm not trying to deny the guy all expression of celebration...But he's representing the greatest franchise in sports. If he wants to do something like that in the locker room, fine. But not in public. Maybe I'm too old-school, but I don't think it's appropriate. Just my opinion.

eniparadoxgma

01-27-2011, 10:58 PM

Everyone's entitled to their opinion man. I think he was lost in the moment, knowing he was going to the Superbowl, and see it as harmless fun.